Role of the Electoral College
Course
Political Science I
Unit VI
People and
Politics
Essential
Question
Why is the
Electoral College
important to the
election process?
TEKS
§130.183(c)
(9)(B), (10)(D)
Prior Student
Learning
None
Estimated Time
7 to 10 hours
Rationale
Understanding the Electoral College is important for all US citizens. GPA
professionals especially need to know how this system works in order to
be effective participants in the US political process.
Objectives
The students will be able to:
1. Analyze the origins of the Electoral College and how citizens
participate in the election process
2. Identify the historical challenges of the Electoral College
3. Explore how the Electoral College changes over time
4. Predict the outcome of the 2016 Electoral College
5. Create a survey about the Electoral College
6. Analyze the results of their surveys
7. Debate the importance of the Electoral College in the election
process
Engage
Present a brief synopsis of the 2000 Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore
(see section II. B. below). Then give the students five minutes to conduct
research on the 2000 Presidential Election. After the students have
gathered their research, lead a class discussion about whether George W.
Bush was rightfully awarded the 25 electoral votes from the State of
Florida. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Key Points
I. Why did the Founding Fathers organize an Electoral College?
A. The Electoral College
1. The purpose of the Electoral College is to elect the President
and the Vice President of the US
a) The Constitution delegates to states the authority to
appoint individuals (electors) using a process that is
determined by the states legislatures
(1) Typically these electors are elected in congressional
elections in each state
(2) These congressional elections include Senate
elections as well as House of Representative
elections
b) Before 1804 each elector was permitted to cast two
electoral votes
c) The candidate that received the largest majority of votes
would become President of the US; the second would
become Vice President of the US
(1) This usually meant that the President and Vice
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President were members from two different political
parties
d) The Electoral College votes are counted and certified by
a joint session of Congress before inauguration day on
January 20th
e) This process was changed in 1804 when the US ratified
the 12th Amendment to the US Constitution
(1) 12th Amendment states each elector must cast one
vote for President of the US and one vote for VicePresident of the US
2. The Founding Fathers wanted to limit the number of officials
that were directly elected by citizens
a) The framers effectively limited voting rights of a majority
of citizens
(1) The Founding Fathers made voting a “states” issue;
each state was responsible for determining the
eligibility to vote
b) Most state constitutions had limited voting to a small
proportion of the American population of this time:
property-owning, white, male citizens
(1) New Jersey was the only exception to this standard,
property-owning, white women could also vote
(2) This voting law was overturned in New Jersey in
1807
(3) Women did not get the opportunity to vote until the
ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US
Constitution
c) This gave individual states a key role, because states
would select electors equal to the number of
representatives it had in the House of Representatives
and the Senate
d) According to Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 68, the
Electoral College was created to avoid “tumult and
disorder” (O’Conner, Sabato and Yanus, 2011, p. 43)
(1) Federalists opposed the direct election of the
President
B. By the numbers
1. The total number of electors equal the Electoral College
a) For each state it is equivalent to the number of senators
and representatives that state has in the US Congress
(1) The District of Columbia is allowed 3 electoral votes
b) The total number of electoral votes is currently 538
(1) In 1788, there were a total of 81 electors in the
Electoral College
c) The number of electors is addressed every ten years,
after the US participates in a census
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2.
3.
d) Therefore, the Electoral College is altered every ten years
because of the shifting population in the US
(1) Reapportionment is simply the reallocation of the
number of seats in the House of Representatives
How the framers decided the number of electors
a) The Virginia Plan
(1) Was created while the framers were trying to
determine the number of representatives (electors)
each state would be allotted
(2) Was proposed by the new state of Virginia that state
population determines electors (a.k.a. Virginia Plan)
(a) Virginia was considered the largest colony at
the time, and would therefore become the
largest state in the US (according to
population)
(3) Was the first general plan for the US Constitution
offered in Philadelphia; its key points were a
bicameral legislature, and an executive and a
judiciary chosen by the national legislature
(4) Was disputed by smaller states such as New Jersey
and Connecticut
b) The New Jersey Plan
(1) Was organized by New Jersey as a rebuttal to the
Virginia Plan
(2) Called for a unicameral legislature and
representatives would be equally divided among all
the states
(3) Created an executive branch that would be
responsible for the appointment Supreme Court
justices
(4) Was disputed by larger states such as Virginia and
Massachusetts
The Great Compromise
a) Occurred after much debate between the Founding
Fathers, who eventually decided to compromise and
combine the two plans
(1) Also known as the Connecticut Compromise
because it was drafted by the state of Connecticut
b) Took qualities from both the Virginia Plan and the New
Jersey Plan
c) These qualities include: a bicameral legislature, an
Executive and a Judiciary
(1) The bicameral legislature would consist of one
house, now known as the House of
Representatives, whose number of representatives
would be based upon the population of each state
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(2)
The second house would have an equal number of
representatives among all states, regardless of
population; this house is now known as the Senate
d) Together the members in the House of Representatives
and the Senate make up the electors in the Electoral
College
e) Although the Electoral College was not established as a
part of the Great Compromise, it later laid the foundation
for the Founding Fathers when they drafted the US
Constitution
(1) The Electoral College is outlined in Article II of the
US Constitution
II. What are some historical challenges made toward the Electoral
College?
A. Designed to work without political parties
1. The Founding Fathers expected partisanship to have little
influence over the Electoral College
a) The fourth presidential election of the US presented its
first challenge to the electoral system
(1) Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr
b) Both candidates were from the Democratic-Republican
Party
c) Prior to the 12th Amendment, the Constitution read that
each elector must cast two votes; however, their votes
could not be earmarked separately for president and vice
president
2. Ties in the Electoral College
a) The first tie in the Electoral College was between Thomas
Jefferson and Aaron Burr
(1) Prior to the 12th Amendment, all ties in the Electoral
College were disputed by the House of
Representatives
b) Currently to settle a tie in the Electoral College, the US
Constitution states that the House of Representatives
would decide the president and the Senate would elect
the vice president
c) For the House of Representatives, each state would have
one vote, for a total of 50 votes
d) Each Senate member would also get one vote, for a total
of 50 votes
e) This has happened several other times throughout the
electoral process
(1) 1824 – John Quincy Adams v. Andrew Jackson
(2) 1876 – Rutherford B. Hayes v. Samuel Tilden
f) Unfortunately, political parties have always had an
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influence on the Electoral College, even in more modern
times
B. Bush v. Gore
1. The 2000 Presidential Election: George W. Bush vs. Al Gore
a) George W. Bush was elected President of the US even
after losing the popular vote
(1) George W. Bush received 271 electoral votes after a
controversial vote in Florida
b) Before George W. Bush was declared the winner in
Florida, Al Gore was granted a re-count under Florida
election law
(1) George W. Bush and Al Gore were only separated
by 1,800 votes
(2) After the recount, George W. Bush and Al Gore
were only separated by 327 votes
c) Now that the margin was even slimmer, under Florida
election law, Al Gore was granted a “manual” re-count in
the counties of his choosing
(1) The Florida counties chosen by Al Gore were:
Broward, Miami-Dade, Volusia, and Palm Beach
d) Florida election law also stated that the Secretary of State
for Florida must certify all votes seven days after the
election
(1) 3 of the 4 counties could not complete the manual
re-count by the seven-day deadline
2. Al Gore sued the Secretary of State of Florida
a) Although Harris could legally amend the results of the
election, she refused to hear the appeals from the three
outstanding counties
(1) The three outstanding counties were: Broward,
Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach
b) The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Al Gore and
stated that the re-count would continue in these three
counties and the votes must be counted manually
because of defects with the automated voting machines
c) George W. Bush appealed the Florida Supreme Court’s
decisions to the US Supreme Court
d) On December 12, 2000, the US Supreme Court ruled in
favor of George W. Bush and said that the re-count of
Florida votes was unconstitutional
(1) It was a 5-4 vote in favor of George W. Bush
e) Therefore, George W. Bush was awarded the State of
Florida’s 25 electoral votes, making him the 43rd
President of the US
III. How does the Electoral College change over time?
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A. Changing population in the US
1. Re-drawing congressional districts
a) Each state is guaranteed a minimum of 3 electoral votes
in the Electoral College
(1) Each Senator is guaranteed one vote and each
must have at least one member in the House of
Representatives (one vote)
b) The population does not affect Senate votes in the
Electoral College because, according to the US
Constitution, each state is guaranteed two Senators,
regardless of population (two votes)
c) However, the electors from the House of Representatives
are shifted every 10 years as a result of the US Census
(1) The census is the way for the US government to
count the total population
d) The number of electors in the Electoral College does not
change with each Census
(1) The 435 electors are just redistributed among the
states based on population growth/decline
e) The reallocation of seats in the House of Representatives
to each state is known as reapportionment
2. Texas
a) From 2000–2010, the State of Texas had 30
congressional districts and two Senators, giving Texas 32
electoral votes
(1) The largest state in the Electoral College from
2000–2010 was California, with 54 electors
b) Texas saw a rise in population from factors such as:
Hurricane Katrina (2005), when many Louisiana residents
relocated to Texas and created an increase in the
minority population
(1) The population of Texas rose by more than 4 million
people between 2000 and 2010 (census.gov)
c) Texas was the only state to gain four electoral votes after
the 2010 census, more than any other state
(1) Florida gained two seats
(2) States such as Arizona, Georgia, Washington, and
Nevada all gained one seat
(3) New York and Ohio lost two seats, while states such
as Louisiana, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
all lost one seat
d) Texas began redrawing the congressional districts in
2010 to accompany the four new congressional districts
(electors) which were awarded after the 2010 Census
(1) Many disputed Texas’ plans of redistricting because
it was unfair to Black and Latino voters
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B. Redistricting
1. Redistricting after a Census
a) Is the process of redrawing congressional districts to
reflect increases or decreases in seats allotted to the
states, as well as population shifts within a state
(1) In most states, congressional districts are drawn by
state legislatures
b) Can have a great effect on the incumbent electors who
hold a seat in the House of Representatives
c) Can shift the composition of a district, which could affect
the incumbent’s chances of winning reelection
2. Gerrymandering
a) In some states, the goal of the congressional redistricting
process is to protect incumbent electors who hold seats
in the House of Representatives
b) The redrawing of congressional districts for the purpose
of political advantage is a form of gerrymandering
(1) Gerrymandering is defined as the drawing of
legislative districts to benefit a particular incumbent,
political party, or racial group
c) In 1986 the Supreme Court ruled that gerrymandering is
unconstitutional only when it eliminates the minority
party’s influence statewide (Harrison & Harris, 2011, p.
340)
IV. How do citizens participate in the electoral process?
A. Voting
1. Voting rights for citizens
a) Voting rights have been a divisive issue in the US dating
back to the construction of the US Constitution
b) While drafting the US Constitution, the framers feared
putting voting power into the hands of the lower class
(1) The population of the lower class was the largest
socio-economic group in the US at the time
c) However, the smaller states also felt that if electing the
president was the responsibility of the electors it would
give a clear advantage to the larger states
d) The Electoral College was a compromise between the
people and the Congress
(1) This officially made the US a Republic, not a true
Democracy
e) In the beginning, voting rights were only given to white
males who owned property
(1) The Constitution has been amended three times in
order to extend voting rights to citizens
(2) 15th Amendment (1870) – the right to vote shall not
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be denied on account of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude
(3) 19th Amendment (1920) – the right to vote shall not
be denied on account of sex
(4) 26th Amendment (1971) – the right to vote shall not
be denied on account of age
f) All citizens, regardless of age, race, color, creed, or
gender can participate in the electoral process as long as
they are registered with their state
2. Does my vote matter?
a) Although voting is considered to be an individual freedom
in our country, elections still experience a low voter
turnout
(1) Only 50%–60% of eligible voters will turn out to vote
in a presidential election (O’Conner, Sabato &
Yanus, 2011, p. 440)
b) Many citizens feel that since the Electoral College elects
the president and vice president, their vote does not
matter in the election
c) However, individual votes are still crucial to elections,
both presidential and congressional
(1) In 2008, a Minnesota senate race was decided by
312 votes
d) Although the Electoral College determines the outcome of
a presidential election, individual votes can still affect the
outcome
B. The effect on election results
1. The House of Representatives
a) Every two years citizens have the opportunity to
participate in congressional elections in their states
(1) Although, only 40%–45% of eligible voters turnout
for congressional election (O’Conner, Sabato &
Yanus, 2011, p. 440)
b) Since 48 states are winner-take-all states, the midterm
elections can drastically affect presidential elections
c) Citizens directly elect their representatives who will
represent the state as an elector in the Electoral College
d) Therefore, citizens do have a direct impact on the
election of the President of the US
2. The Electoral College
a) The makeup of the Electoral College can change as the
Congressional elections occur
b) As stated, 48 states are winner-take-all states, which
means that all electoral votes from those states will be
pledged to one of the presidential candidates
(1) Nebraska and Maine are the only states that split
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their electoral votes based on congressional districts
However, electors pledge their votes for the candidate
who won their state’s popular vote
(1) This has been the political practice since the
Presidential election of 1828
d) For example, in the 2008 presidential election, in the
State of Ohio, Barack Obama won the popular vote 52%
to 47% against Republican John McCain
(1) All 20 electoral votes were pledged to Democrat
Barack Obama
(2) In the 2004 Presidential election, Ohio pledged 20
electoral votes to Republican George W. Bush
(3) Barack Obama was elected President of the US in
2008 with 365 electoral votes
e) A “battleground state” or swing state is considered to be a
state in which the Democratic and Republican candidates
both have a good chance of winning the electoral votes
from that state
(1) Current battleground states include: Ohio, Florida,
and Pennsylvania
(2) Some political scientists claim that because of the
rising minority population in Texas, it is possible for
Texas to become a battleground state by 2030
c)
V. Is the Electoral College still important to the electoral process?
A. Reforming the Electoral College
1. Proposals for reformation
a) Political scientists have argued that with the electoral
crisis of the 2000 presidential election between George
W. Bush and Al Gore, the Electoral College must be
reformed to prevent future issues
b) The most simple reform would be just using the popular
vote to choose the President
(1) Although this is the most democratic reform, it is the
least likely to be enacted because the US
Constitution would have to be amended
c) The other reform would be to change from a winner-takeall system to a congressional district plan
d) The congressional district plan states that each candidate
would receive one electoral vote for each congressional
district that he/she wins in that state
(1) The winner of the overall popular vote in the state
would then receive two electoral votes from the state
(one for each senator)
(2) The congressional district plan is currently used in
the states of Nebraska and Maine
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e) This would be the easiest reform because it does not
require a constitutional amendment; the states would just
have to a pass a law to put this into effect
(1) Candidates would also be more likely to campaign in
states that are not considered battleground states
B. Progression in the electorate
1. Informed voters
a) The Founding Fathers created the Electoral College
because they feared that the government would be in the
hands of the uninformed
(1) This is why they left the election of the president up
to a “small group of men” known as the Electoral
College
b) As time has progressed citizens in the US have become
more educated and informed since the days of ratification
c) The education of the citizens and the wealth of
information available should by definition be the answer
to Alexander Hamilton’s issues in Federalist 68
(1) Federalist Paper 68 was written by Alexander
Hamilton in support of the formation of the Electoral
College
d) By today’s standards, are voters informed to the point
where they should be directly responsible for the election
of the President of the US?
Activities
1. Electoral College Exploration. Have the students access the 270 to
Win website (Conduct an Internet search for the key words: 270 to
Win.) Be certain that the students can see the map of the Electoral
College. Under the “select starting view” drop box, have the students
choose “blank map”. Have the students use the blank interactive map
to predict which state electors will vote “Democrat” or “Republican” in
the 2016 Presidential Election. Have the students record their
predictions on the “blank map”. Finally, have the students identify
three “battleground states” and provide a written explanation of why
they think the state will be “Democrat” or “Republican” in the 2016
Presidential Election. Use the Individual Work Rubric and the Writing
Rubric for assessment.
End the Electoral College? Divide the class into groups of five. Have each
group conduct research about whether the Electoral College should
be abolished. The students must begin by drafting a survey, either
online or on paper. Once the survey is drafted, each group will need to
gather a minimum of 500 participants for the survey (participants must
be over the age of 18). The students may reach out to local
government officials, their congressmen, etc. After the students gather
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the data have them analyze whether citizens want to abolish the
Electoral College or keep it as is. (Activity extension: For students
whose data shows that citizens want to abolish the Electoral College,
they may create a petition online on the White House website
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/. Use the Group Evaluation Rubric
and the Peer Evaluation Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Role of the Electoral College Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Group Evaluation Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Peer Evaluation Rubric
Research Rubric
Writing Rubric
Materials
Role of the Electoral College computer-based presentation
Role of the Electoral College Key Terms
Computers with Internet access
Resources
Edwards, George, Martin Wattenberg, and Robert Lineberry. Government
in America: People, Politics and Policy. 15. New York City: Longman,
2011. Chapter 17 & 21. Print.
Harrison, Brigid, and Jean Harris. American Democracy Now. 2. New
York City: McGraw-Hill Company, 2011. Chapter 15 & 18. Print.
O'Conner, Karen, Larry Sabato, and Alixandra Yanus. American
Government: Roots and Reform. 2011. New York City: Longman,
2011. Chapter 4 & 18. Print.
Patterson, Thomas. The American Democracy. 9th. New York City:
McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2009. Ch. 15 & 18. Print.
Schmidt, Steffan, Mack Shelley, Barbara Bardes, and Lynne Ford.
American Government and Politics Today. 2011-2012. Boston:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Chapter 17 &19. Print.
www.census.gov
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/
Conduct an Internet search for the following key words: 270 to win
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the students will create a flowchart in which they will
identify the process of voting, beginning with a citizen voting and ending
with the candidate being elected President of the US. Use the Individual
Work Rubric.
For enrichment, the students will write a 2-3-page research paper about
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whether the US Congress should amend the U.S Constitution and abolish
the Electoral College. Use the Research Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.183. Political Science I (One to Two Credits).
(9)
The student explores the processes for filling public offices
in the US system of government. The student is expected to:
(B)
analyze and evaluate the processes of electing the
President of the US.
(10) The student examines the role of political parties in the US
system of government. The student is expected to:
(D)
identify opportunities for citizens to participate in the
electoral process at the local, state, and nationals
levels.
College and Career Readiness Standards
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
II.Foundational Skills
D. Use of data
1. Identify patterns or departures from patterns among data.
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Role of the Electoral College Key Terms
Battleground State – a state in which the Democratic and Republican candidates both have a
good chance of winning the electoral votes
Census – an “actual enumeration” of the population that the US Constitution requires the
government to conduct every ten years; it is a valuable tool for understanding
demographic changes within states and the nation
Elector – member of the Electoral College
Electorate – the citizens eligible to vote
New Jersey Plan – a framework for the US Constitution proposed by a group of small states; its
key points were a one-house legislature with one vote for each state, a Congress with the
ability to raise revenue, and a Supreme Court with members appointed for life
Reapportionment – the reallocation of the number of seats in the House of Representatives after
each decennial census
Redistricting – the process of redrawing congressional districts to reflect increases or decreases
in seats allotted to the states, as well as population shifts within a state
The Electoral College – representatives of each state who cast the final ballots that actually
elect the President of the US
The Great Compromise – the final decision of the Constitutional Convention to create a twohouse legislature with the lower house elected by the people and with powers divided
between the two houses; it has made national law supreme
Virginia Plan – the first general plan for the US Constitution offered in Philadelphia; its key
points were a bicameral legislature and an executive and a judiciary chosen by the
national legislature
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
Role of the Electoral College Quiz
1. _____The Electoral College is defined in which of the following Articles of the US
Constitution?
A Article I
B Article II
C Article III
D Article IV
2. _____The electoral votes of most states are allocated by which of the following methods?
A Each party’s candidates receive electoral votes based on his/her percentage of the
state’s popular vote
B The loser in the popular election receives one electoral vote and the winner receives
the rest of the state’s electoral votes
C All of the state’s electors cast their vote for whichever candidate won the state’s
popular vote
D The winner of the popular vote in the state receives 75 percent of the electoral votes
for that state and the loser receives the other 25 percent of the electoral votes for
that state
3. _____Which of the following is the total amount of electoral votes in the Electoral College?
A 270
B 435
C 535
D 538
4. _____Which of the following is a true statement about abolishing the Electoral College?
A Has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
B Would require a constitutional amendment
C Can be done by executive order
D Receives strong support from smaller states
5. _____Which of the following constitutional amendments altered the Electoral College from
its original form?
A 10th Amendment
B 11th Amendment
C 12th Amendment
D 13th Amendment
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6. _____If there is a tie in the Electoral College, which of the following governing bodies
serves as the tiebreaker for electing the President of the US?
A The House of Representatives
B The Senate
C The Supreme Court
D Both the House of Representatives and the Senate
7. _____The process of increasing or decreasing electors between the states based on
population is known as which of the following?
A Redistricting
B Reapportionment
C Realignment
D None of the above
8. _____Which of the following statements is not considered to be gerrymandering?
A The re-drawing of congressional districts to benefit minority groups
B The re-drawing of congressional districts to benefit a political party
C The re-drawing of congressional districts to benefit incumbents
D The re-drawing of congressional districts to benefit Democrats and Republicans
equally
9. _____In order to be considered an “eligible voter,” the person must be which of the
following?
A A citizen
B 18 years of age or older
C Registered to vote in their state
D All of the above
10. _____Which of the following constitutional amendments is not considered a “voting
rights” amendment?
A 12th Amendment
B 15th Amendment
C 19th Amendment
D 26th Amendment
11. _____The electors in the Electoral College are which of the following?
A Selected by their party an in accordance to state laws
B Nonpartisan professionals that are appointed by the states
C State legislators from the party whose presidential candidate carried the states
D Members of the House who cast their vote for the presidential candidate that won
their congressional district
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12. _____The total votes of the Electoral College will be certified by which of the following?
A The Federal Election Commission
B Congress
C The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
D The President of the Electoral College
13. _____Which of the following criticisms of the Electoral College is false?
A The Electoral College is biased towards large populated states
B Providing two electors the states Senators benefit smaller states
C Presidential candidates typically only campaign in large states or “battleground
states”
D The Electoral College is not working the way that the Founding Fathers intended
14. _____Which of the following determined that re-counting the election ballots in the State
of Florida in the 2000 Presidential election was unconstitutional?
A The Florida Secretary of State
B The Florida Supreme Court
C The Supreme Court
D The President of the Senate
15. _____The Electoral College is reapportioned every ten years as a result of which of the
following?
A Federal Income Tax Returns
B Registering citizens to vote
C Immigration
D The census
16. _____Which of the following states uses the “Congressional District Plan” method in the
Electoral College rather than the “winner-take-all” method?
A Nebraska
B Wyoming
C Connecticut
D Texas
17. _____Which of the following states has the largest number of possible electoral votes?
A Texas
B California
C New York
D Florida
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18. _____It has been the political practice since which of the following presidential elections
for the electors in the Electoral College to pledge their vote to the candidates who won
their state’s popular vote?
A 1804
B 1824
C 1828
D 1876
19. _____Which of the following was the total amount of electors in the Electoral College
during the presidential election of 1788?
A 81
B 173
C 271
D 538
20. _____Because of the Electoral College, the US governmental system is considered
which of the following?
A True Democracy
B Republic
C Constitutional Democracy
D Direct Republic
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Role of the Electoral College Quiz Key
1. B
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. D
9. D
10. A
11. A
12. B
13. B
14. C
15. D
16. A
17. B
18. C
19. A
20. B
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Name_______________________________
Date________________
Group Evaluation
Group 1
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 2
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
19
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Group 3
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 4
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
20
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Group 5
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 6
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate its talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
21
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Your Name___________________________________ Your Group Number_______
Peer Evaluation
1) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
2) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
22
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
3) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
4) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
23
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
5) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
6) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the activity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the activity(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
24
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
25
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
26
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
27
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.
Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Writing Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
The writing has all required parts from
introduction to conclusion in smooth
transition.
The writing is interesting, supportive,
and complete.
The writing demonstrates that the
writer comprehends the writing
process.
Accurate spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
The content of paragraphs
emphasizes appropriate points.
The writer shows an understanding of
sentence structure, paragraphing, and
punctuation.
All sources and references are clearly
and accurately documented.
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
28
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2014. All rights reserved.